BEGINNING, THURSDAY, MAY 24
N.Y. Mets at Milwaukee (4) 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
The Mets got back on track with an excellent weekend vs. the Diamondbacks,
and they did take 2 out of 3 from this team at CitiField
earlier. But we expect them to have a rough weekend at Miller Park.
The Brewers are currently atop the NL East (7-3, +$570 last 10
days), thanks in large part to one of the league?s top pitching staffs
(3.43 team ERA, 3rd best in the NL). Milwaukee has an 22-9 record
in night games this year (+$1490) and we like their chances
vs. New York?s sub-par mound corps (4.14 ERA, 5th worst). BEST
BET: Brewers in night games.
Houston at Cleveland (4) 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
The Astros took 2 out of 3 from this team at Minute Maid Park last
weekend, and given how their pitching has performed (2.43 team
ERA, best in MLB and over a full run less than #2 ranked Boston
in the AL), they will be a very tempting choice here at Progressive
Field. The Indians have gotten off to a lackluster start in 2018,
though considering how weak their division is, they are not under
much pressure at the moment. They?ve been awful vs. right-handed
pitching (only 12-17, -$1390) and they?ll see a number of excellent
ones in this series. The Indians will be fortunate to salvage a victory
in this four game set. BEST BET: Right-handers vs. the Indians.
Kansas City at Texas (4) 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
Both team are in bad shape heading into Memorial day, with each in
jeopardy of losing 100 games this season. But Texas has been better
on the road so far, posting a decent profit as a visitor (+$420), and
they?ll be facing a Kansas City team that is only 6-23 vs. righthanders
(-$1625), averaging just 3.9 runs per game in those contests.
Bartolo Colon continues to defy expectations (+$365, 2.94
ERA in seven outings) and he?ll take a turn at Kaufman Stadium.
The Royals have the worst team ERA in the majors (5.55) so we?ll
take Texas and their ageless veteran. BEST BET: Colon.
BEGINNING, FRIDAY, MAY 25
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Cubs are likely to ultimately prevail in the competitive NL
Central thanks to their top notch pitching (3.28 ERA), but they?ve
been a losing proposition overall (-$395) owing to the usual inflated
prices. The Giants are a much better team than we saw in
2017, and they?ve posted a fat profit vs. left-handers so far (+$860).
The NL West is up for grabs now that Arizona is slumping, and so
the veteran San Francisco team could be back in the mix for a postseason
slot. BEST BET: Giants vs. left-handers.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Pirates swept the Cardinals in a three game set here at PNC
Park in April (+$355) and they are one of the top hitting teams in
the National League (.260 team BA), averaging almost a full run
more per game than St. Louis. The Bucs have turned a modest profit
in this ballpark (15-9, +$270) and they have a solid right-handed
duo in James Taillon (2.08 ERA last two starts) and Trevor Williams
(3.05 in 10 starts), both of whom are expected to see action
this weekend. BEST BET: Taillon/T. Williams.
Washington at Miami (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Nats were riding high, but multiple rainouts followed by a
sweep at home at the hands of the struggling Dodgers, not to mention
the loss of Howie Kendrick, has dealt the visitor a setback. The
Marlins are arguably the worst team in the National League (5.17
team ERA, .230 team BA) but they?ve been a break-even betting
proposition, and their lefties could pose a problem for a Washington
team that is only 4-11 vs. southpaws (-$1100, averaging just 3.3
runs per game). We could catch some huge underdog prices on the
road team. BEST BET: Left-handers vs. the Nationals.
Cincinnati at Colorado (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Rockies have crept close to the top of the NL West head in
recent days, thanks to a very bad stretch of games by Arizona, and
they have a weak opponent to prey on this weekend at Coors Field.
But Colorado remains a deeply flawed team (4.45 ERA, .233 team
BA, near the bottom of the league in both departments) and they?ve
lost a bundle in home games this year (7-11, -$855). The Reds are
not as bad as they were in April, but they remain the worst pitching
team in the league (5.17) and their losses are significant (-$1175).
Nothing here looks good at the moment. BEST BET: None
.
San Diego at L.A. Dodgers (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
There may still be hope for the Dodgers, who pulled off a badly
needed sweep at Washington, but the Padres look like a solid underdog
choice in this series. They?ve been a money-maker in night
games on the road (+$760 so far) and they have capable starter in
Jordan Lyles, who has looked very sharp in his first three starts
(2.50 ERA). The Dodgers have been unable to keep their lefty starters
healthy in the early going, and it has led to some staggering
losses heading into Memorial Day weekend (-$2390 overall). And
despite everything, the Padres are only six games back in the NL
West. BEST BET: Lyles.
L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Yankees have won 21 of their last 25, dispatching these Angels
in a three game sweep at Anaheim (+$315) along the way. They are
the top scoring team in MLB (5.8 runs per game) and they check
in with a 3.60 team ERA, 3rd best in the American League. The
Yankees are also 10-1 in home day games (+$815), and two of these
contests will take place in the afternoon. Still, we don?t want to take
the Angels lightly. They are pitching well right now (2.43 ERA last
10 days) and they?ve posted fat profits on the road (+$1120).With
huge prices likely, we?re inclined to stay on the sidelines for now
and take a closer look on game day. BEST BET: None.
Chicago W. Sox at Detroit (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
In a year in which a huge number of teams stand in danger of losing
100 games, the White Sox stick out as MLB?s most inept franchise
(13-30, -$1390 so far). They come in with a bloated team ERA
(5.21) while averaging just 3.8 runs per game at the plate. They
dropped a three game set to the Tigers earlier this year (-$410) and
they?ll be taking on a Detroit team that has turned a profit here at
Comerica (+$520). The Tigers have a pair of quality lefties in Matthew
Boyd (3.19 ERA in eight starts) and Francisco Liriano (3.42 in
nine outings), at least one of whom should see action vs. the Chisox
this weekend. BEST BET: Boyd/Liriano.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Rays broke new ground when they had longtime reliever Sergio
Romo start back to back games in Anaheim last weekend, giving
way to the real starting pitcher in the 2nd inning. It?s a innovative
strategy, but whether it will ultimately lead to wins is an open question.
But the team has been playing well (7-3, +$535 in the last 10
days) and they can fatten up on a beleaguered Baltimore club that is
only 4-19 outside of Camden Yards (-$1210). The Rays could compete
for a wild-card before all is said and done, and no one on the
Orioles? rotation gives us much cause for concern. We?ll stick with
the home team throughout. BEST BET: Rays in all games.
Minnesota at Seattle (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Twins dropped 2 out of 3 to the Mariners at Target Field (-$180)
and they?ve not been able to get back to .500 after their miserable
month of April. The Mariners have stormed in 2nd place in the AL
West, and are now just two games behind 1st place Houston in a
very competitive division. They are 18-9 in night games (+$850)
and they have one of the league?s top lefty starters in James Paxton
(3.30 ERA) set to take a turn at Safeco Field. Despite the absence
of injured/suspended Robinson Cano, this looks like a good spot for
the home team. BEST BET: Paxton/Ma
N.Y. Mets at Milwaukee (4) 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
The Mets got back on track with an excellent weekend vs. the Diamondbacks,
and they did take 2 out of 3 from this team at CitiField
earlier. But we expect them to have a rough weekend at Miller Park.
The Brewers are currently atop the NL East (7-3, +$570 last 10
days), thanks in large part to one of the league?s top pitching staffs
(3.43 team ERA, 3rd best in the NL). Milwaukee has an 22-9 record
in night games this year (+$1490) and we like their chances
vs. New York?s sub-par mound corps (4.14 ERA, 5th worst). BEST
BET: Brewers in night games.
Houston at Cleveland (4) 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
The Astros took 2 out of 3 from this team at Minute Maid Park last
weekend, and given how their pitching has performed (2.43 team
ERA, best in MLB and over a full run less than #2 ranked Boston
in the AL), they will be a very tempting choice here at Progressive
Field. The Indians have gotten off to a lackluster start in 2018,
though considering how weak their division is, they are not under
much pressure at the moment. They?ve been awful vs. right-handed
pitching (only 12-17, -$1390) and they?ll see a number of excellent
ones in this series. The Indians will be fortunate to salvage a victory
in this four game set. BEST BET: Right-handers vs. the Indians.
Kansas City at Texas (4) 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
Both team are in bad shape heading into Memorial day, with each in
jeopardy of losing 100 games this season. But Texas has been better
on the road so far, posting a decent profit as a visitor (+$420), and
they?ll be facing a Kansas City team that is only 6-23 vs. righthanders
(-$1625), averaging just 3.9 runs per game in those contests.
Bartolo Colon continues to defy expectations (+$365, 2.94
ERA in seven outings) and he?ll take a turn at Kaufman Stadium.
The Royals have the worst team ERA in the majors (5.55) so we?ll
take Texas and their ageless veteran. BEST BET: Colon.
BEGINNING, FRIDAY, MAY 25
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Cubs are likely to ultimately prevail in the competitive NL
Central thanks to their top notch pitching (3.28 ERA), but they?ve
been a losing proposition overall (-$395) owing to the usual inflated
prices. The Giants are a much better team than we saw in
2017, and they?ve posted a fat profit vs. left-handers so far (+$860).
The NL West is up for grabs now that Arizona is slumping, and so
the veteran San Francisco team could be back in the mix for a postseason
slot. BEST BET: Giants vs. left-handers.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Pirates swept the Cardinals in a three game set here at PNC
Park in April (+$355) and they are one of the top hitting teams in
the National League (.260 team BA), averaging almost a full run
more per game than St. Louis. The Bucs have turned a modest profit
in this ballpark (15-9, +$270) and they have a solid right-handed
duo in James Taillon (2.08 ERA last two starts) and Trevor Williams
(3.05 in 10 starts), both of whom are expected to see action
this weekend. BEST BET: Taillon/T. Williams.
Washington at Miami (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Nats were riding high, but multiple rainouts followed by a
sweep at home at the hands of the struggling Dodgers, not to mention
the loss of Howie Kendrick, has dealt the visitor a setback. The
Marlins are arguably the worst team in the National League (5.17
team ERA, .230 team BA) but they?ve been a break-even betting
proposition, and their lefties could pose a problem for a Washington
team that is only 4-11 vs. southpaws (-$1100, averaging just 3.3
runs per game). We could catch some huge underdog prices on the
road team. BEST BET: Left-handers vs. the Nationals.
Cincinnati at Colorado (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Rockies have crept close to the top of the NL West head in
recent days, thanks to a very bad stretch of games by Arizona, and
they have a weak opponent to prey on this weekend at Coors Field.
But Colorado remains a deeply flawed team (4.45 ERA, .233 team
BA, near the bottom of the league in both departments) and they?ve
lost a bundle in home games this year (7-11, -$855). The Reds are
not as bad as they were in April, but they remain the worst pitching
team in the league (5.17) and their losses are significant (-$1175).
Nothing here looks good at the moment. BEST BET: None
.
San Diego at L.A. Dodgers (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
There may still be hope for the Dodgers, who pulled off a badly
needed sweep at Washington, but the Padres look like a solid underdog
choice in this series. They?ve been a money-maker in night
games on the road (+$760 so far) and they have capable starter in
Jordan Lyles, who has looked very sharp in his first three starts
(2.50 ERA). The Dodgers have been unable to keep their lefty starters
healthy in the early going, and it has led to some staggering
losses heading into Memorial Day weekend (-$2390 overall). And
despite everything, the Padres are only six games back in the NL
West. BEST BET: Lyles.
L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Yankees have won 21 of their last 25, dispatching these Angels
in a three game sweep at Anaheim (+$315) along the way. They are
the top scoring team in MLB (5.8 runs per game) and they check
in with a 3.60 team ERA, 3rd best in the American League. The
Yankees are also 10-1 in home day games (+$815), and two of these
contests will take place in the afternoon. Still, we don?t want to take
the Angels lightly. They are pitching well right now (2.43 ERA last
10 days) and they?ve posted fat profits on the road (+$1120).With
huge prices likely, we?re inclined to stay on the sidelines for now
and take a closer look on game day. BEST BET: None.
Chicago W. Sox at Detroit (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
In a year in which a huge number of teams stand in danger of losing
100 games, the White Sox stick out as MLB?s most inept franchise
(13-30, -$1390 so far). They come in with a bloated team ERA
(5.21) while averaging just 3.8 runs per game at the plate. They
dropped a three game set to the Tigers earlier this year (-$410) and
they?ll be taking on a Detroit team that has turned a profit here at
Comerica (+$520). The Tigers have a pair of quality lefties in Matthew
Boyd (3.19 ERA in eight starts) and Francisco Liriano (3.42 in
nine outings), at least one of whom should see action vs. the Chisox
this weekend. BEST BET: Boyd/Liriano.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Rays broke new ground when they had longtime reliever Sergio
Romo start back to back games in Anaheim last weekend, giving
way to the real starting pitcher in the 2nd inning. It?s a innovative
strategy, but whether it will ultimately lead to wins is an open question.
But the team has been playing well (7-3, +$535 in the last 10
days) and they can fatten up on a beleaguered Baltimore club that is
only 4-19 outside of Camden Yards (-$1210). The Rays could compete
for a wild-card before all is said and done, and no one on the
Orioles? rotation gives us much cause for concern. We?ll stick with
the home team throughout. BEST BET: Rays in all games.
Minnesota at Seattle (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Twins dropped 2 out of 3 to the Mariners at Target Field (-$180)
and they?ve not been able to get back to .500 after their miserable
month of April. The Mariners have stormed in 2nd place in the AL
West, and are now just two games behind 1st place Houston in a
very competitive division. They are 18-9 in night games (+$850)
and they have one of the league?s top lefty starters in James Paxton
(3.30 ERA) set to take a turn at Safeco Field. Despite the absence
of injured/suspended Robinson Cano, this looks like a good spot for
the home team. BEST BET: Paxton/Ma
